Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman [6]

“We apologize for not explaining things sooner. We were so pleased to find you that we forgot to give you the background.”

The suited man began recounting a story to Bruce.

They described an American playboy named Fake Wayne.

Fake Wayne, a reckless scion of the American Wayne family, had led a life of luxury and excess, ultimately meeting an early end with no heirs to claim his fortune.

These two men, private investigators hired by Fake Wayne himself, had been searching for any potential illegitimate children.

After an exhaustive search, they’d traced his lineage to Bruce Wayne.

Every piece of evidence, every detail, pointed to Bruce.

“Master Bruce, you are now the sole heir to the Wayne family.”

One of the detectives declared, his tone almost theatrical, “Your father left you a valuable inheritance—assets totaling a full three billion dollars!”

Bruce listened, his face unreadable.

All he felt was a strange disconnect, as though this supposed “father” had existed only to leave him a pile of money.

“Fake Wayne”—as if the name itself wasn’t suspicious. “Fake,” like something unreal or counterfeit.

No wonder Kathoom had mentioned that the world’s laws would assign him the most suitable identity.

It seemed like all of this was orchestrated to align with some unseen power’s plans.

The detectives mistook Bruce’s blank expression as shock or a lack of worldly experience, unable to grasp just how much three billion dollars really meant.

They repeated themselves for emphasis, “Master Bruce, three billion dollars! Even with inheritance taxes, that’s enough to guarantee you a life of luxury!”

“I heard you the first time!”

Bruce replied, clearly impatient. Three billion. Was that worth repeating twice?

“Three billion aside, I only have one question.”

“Ask away.”

The detectives’ smiles bordered on sycophantic in the face of this massive inheritance.

Bruce enunciated each word carefully: “This valuable inheritance you mentioned—what exactly is it?”

—

After much effort, the private detectives managed to clarify for Bruce that the “valuable inheritance” was, indeed, just three billion dollars.

They then watched as a peculiar disappointment flashed across the young boy’s face.

“Oh. It’s just money.”

Bruce’s resigned tone left the two detectives questioning their own reality.

This was three billion dollars! Was that not enough to impress him?

What had he been expecting?

Regardless, Bruce finally accepted his new identity.

Though three billion wasn’t much, it was plenty for spending money in this world.

Fake Wayne had also established a dedicated team to help Bruce manage the inheritance seamlessly, sparing him any concerns over logistics.

The detectives then brought unexpected news.

“Master Bruce, during our investigation, we uncovered even more about your family.

“When we traced your mother, we discovered she had an older sister. This means you’re not alone; you still have blood relatives in this world!”

The detective’s words hit Bruce like a thunderclap.

He was truly caught off guard; this development was far beyond his expectations.

The detective continued with the good news, “Your aunt—she didn’t know of your existence until now. But as soon as she found out, she was eager to meet you. She’s on her way and will be here very soon!”

Bruce sat, stunned, unable to find the right words.

Even if he suspected this aunt was part of the world’s fabrications, as long as he remained here, she was his family. A peculiar feeling stirred within him—a warmth tinged with a faint unease.

He had family now…

The idea filled Bruce with an odd kind of fear, making him nervous to meet this relative he had yet to encounter.

“I…”

Bruce’s voice wavered.

“Can I ask… what kind of person is my aunt?”

The detective answered patiently, “She’s a very kind and gentle woman. She’s married to a dentist named Granger, and they have a daughter.”

“Master Bruce, this means you’ll have a cousin too!”

—

A Ford car drove down a winding road on the outskirts of London, heading toward the city.

Inside, the Granger family sat in heavy silence.

Mr. Granger gripped the steering wheel tightly, while Mrs. Granger sat beside him in the passenger seat.

In the back, their daughter, Hermione Granger, an eleven-year-old girl with a head full of bushy brown hair and prominent front teeth, sat quietly.

Mrs. Granger clasped her hands so tightly her knuckles were pale, her tears gathering before sliding down her cheeks.

“I always thought Martha was doing well in America… Who would have thought…”

Her voice choked with unspeakable sorrow. “And that poor boy, left to fend for himself all these years!”

Her husband, Mr. Granger, struggled to comfort her.

All he could manage was, “It’s alright. We’ll bring him home soon. He’ll never have to feel alone again.”

“But he’s been in an orphanage for ten years!”

Mrs. Granger’s voice trembled with grief. “How often must he have felt helpless, with no one to make him food when he was hungry, no one to tuck him in when he was cold, and no presents at Christmas…”

At that, Mrs. Granger couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer, breaking into heart-wrenching sobs.

“Mum, don’t cry.”

Hermione tried to comfort her mother, holding up a little clown doll she’d picked out.

“Look, I brought a gift for him. I’m sure he’ll like it!”

Mrs. Granger gave no response, lost in her own sadness.

The car continued along the road, nearing their destination.

—

Bruce sat in his room, sensing something wasn’t right.

“Kathoom, this is strange, isn’t it?”

He couldn’t make sense of it. Even if the world’s laws assigned him an identity, was it really possible to conjure actual relatives?

Kathoom, however, was unperturbed. “Nothing strange about it; consider it your lucky day.

“Assigned identities are essential. Without one, you’d be as blocked from this world as Barbatos.

“Once the world recognizes you, that identity solidifies. Don’t worry—in this world, these family members are real. Even a DNA test would confirm it.”

Bruce shook his head. “That’s not what worries me.”

“Then what is?”

“I worry…”

Bruce’s eyes showed a hint of hesitation, “That having family might give me… weaknesses I shouldn’t have.”

—

T/N: It also gives you strengths Bruce! Also Fake Wayne? That’s hilarious